MCAST offers new course in Nursing Studies in collaboration with Northumbria University

MCAST announced that from this October it will be offering a new degree course in nursing studies entitled Northumbria University Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing Studies.

This three year full-time degree programme offered in collaboration with Northumbria University provides students with the necessary competencies and qualifications required to register as a nurse (level 1) in Malta and across all EU member states. Students will pursue a minimum of 2,300 hours of theoretical and 2,300 hours of practical work (most of which is carried out on placement) as stipulated by EU directive 2005/36/EC, leading to a clinically skilled and compassionate nurse with professional values and who is fully capable of taking on accountable responsibility.

At the end of the course, students will be able to provide patient-centred care focused on values, ethics and patients’ needs, demonstrate professionalism and promote values of caring, dignity, integrity and altruism in nursing practice, demonstrate organisational, management and leadership skills in the delivery of quality nursing care and show effective communication and collaboration with the intention of providing the patient with holistic care.

The degree will meet all of the requirements of the EU Directive for General Nursing; the Malta Council for Nurses and Midwives’ Scope of Professional Practice; and Malta Council for Nurses and Midwives’ Code of Ethics. The first year of the programme will be taught on MCAST facilities, until works to build a state-of-the art nurse skilling facility at the St Luke’s Medical site are completed.

Northumbria’s nursing programmes are widely considered the best in the United Kingdom and are the first in the country to be accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), in addition to being approved by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The shortage in the nursing sector presents one of the biggest challenge in healthcare in Malta and across the world. By setting up a world class degree, MCAST will attract more nursing students to the profession, working to tackle this shortage directly. Further information and personal career guidance can be obtained from the College’s career advisers on careerguidance@mcast.edu.mt or 2398 7135/310. The career advisors will be available (without appointment) till the 4th August, between 8:30am to 1:30pm, at the Student’s House, MCAST Main Campus, Paola to answer any student queries and offer personal career guidance.